Daily Republican., 1887-09-14

threw myself on my knees ut her bed.
side. Placing one OF her thin white
hands In mine and the other upon my
head she said:
"Johnny. my son, must leave you.
The Saviour has called me home, and
must obey. Ny dear boy will you
make me one promise that | cen take
up 10 heaven with me; 1t will then not
be 80 hard to leave yon here on this
wicked eArth?'
"Oh! mother cried, darling, be
loved mother. 1 will promise you any.
thirR-sny nything-suy thing.
"'Gcd bless you for thpse sweet
words, my precious boy, for l know
your truthful nature, sAd ! know you
will never break . promise made TO
your dying mosher. From ise me, my
son, that as long as yoa live drop OF
lig uor shall never pass your lips
beuded knees / promise God and the
angel Hs is so soon TO take from me
,hat l will never, as long as live,
tasta one drop OF intoxicating liquor
my voice trembled and 1 paused a
moment TO wipe the tears fsom my eyes,
. movement which / observed WAS int
tated by several OF those rough frontiers
men. then coutiuusd:
Boys, TO this day have faithfully
kept that promise, and know that tbs
spirit Of my dear angel mother hss ever
been with me to guide me and shield
me when tenn ptation assailed me.
"'And now shall I pain that dear
| angel. whose presence and gentle II II l |
| sncs can almost feel here with NE u.
night, by breaking thAt pledge? Shall
take drink with youp Il
| las concluded extended my hand
towart the liquor, but ere could reach
II O pistol Shot rang out upon Inc air,
and the Jug Was shattered into many
pieces Az the same instant an old
scout named Bill Reed spraDa TO hls
feet with the smoking pis;ol still
erasped in his brAwRy hand and
shouted:
",No, a thousand times no; and I've
list sisr ed the pledge myself with that
'ere pistol bali. I had jist slch q
mother, Jack, an she talked TO me jist
rs your'n did to you, bat / wsr Wild
boy, pards, an' coon forgot her teach
. iu's, although thoy come TO me al
,ur,niled with q mothers holy teari.
: But lock you 'yar, boys. when the noise
O. that sho. reaches her ears up In
Heaven the smile that orter to a bin on
her face when she died ii get thai; and
the peace tha. her dear soul's been a
I lougip' far III snuggle down In htr
breast, fur b'lievs God III give her the
power to realize thst tho ehot war her
own Bill's pledge"
"a few moments later the group Wal
D | scattered. / sat with Bilrs hand clasp
, ed In my own encouraging him to for.
, ever keep his novel pladge; one or tvc
! Of the men lay looking into the hrt
3 with thoughtful faoee, others stroled d
about gszing upon the ground or sal
Q upon rocks In moody attitudes. g 1ne
/. was the rollloking fuu, gone the bachs
, nalian song, gone the liQuor.inspiret
whoops aad yelis. One might have
t thought the rough, daring men wert
morosely broodina over the loss OF th'
whiskey, but they were not, Thei
e thoughts had gons skimmins over tn
J., back trail OF their reckless lives. The!
I. were thin king Of mother"
t From the inspiration OF this camp In
cident Captain Crawford composed th
: following beautiful poem, which b
t read before the members Of the Suuda
!. school. II was written In the Biac
. Hills In rs. and 10 founded on ih
promise made to his mother:
M0THERS PRAYERS.
. In the drss.y hours OF midnight,
When tne camps asleep and sill,
Not sound, lave ripping strea n lets,
B. or the voice OF the waippoorwil,
1t Then think Of dear, loved faces
n Asl steal around my beat
~ Think OF other scsnes ana pit c,e,
. And mother's vo.c, SO sweet.
r Mother. who In days OF childhood
l. Prayed as only mothers pray:
IA Guard his footsteps In the WILDWOOD,
a Let him MOI be Ied astray;
NJ Ana when dangers hovero1 round me,
70 And my life was full OF cares.
10 Then sweet form passed before me,
and thought Of mother prayers.
"a Mothers prayers! All! Sacred memory,
" can hear her sweet voice now,
r As, upon her death bed lying,
" With her b md upon ny DioW,
1e Calling on Saviour blessing,
% Ere sne climbsd the 20 den stars.
y. There's inS IN ali trangressing,
Ut When think Of mothers prayers.
ne Ard made her one dear premise
10 OhlthAnK heavea Tvs sept 1t, toe;
!. Yes promised God and mother
~ To the pledge l wo1ld be true.
IL, Though hundred times the tempter
ed livery day throws out his snares,
re Lean boldly answer. "so slaW
hs When think Of mother prayers.
In There is no one on the prairie
I'D WHO must say 1t more tnan L.
"No, / never drink, THANK yon,
n. can never taze your iye;'
IA. And there's not In many hundreds,
Not man who ever darss
im AK me to drink wnen nave lola MIN
How thoagnt Of mothers prayers.
\ /